Workplace Ergonomics/Carpal

Tunnel/Repetitive Motion/
Cumulative Trauma Injuries
Crippling injuries can afflict you & your workers after prolonged
exposure to awkward work positions, forceful and/or repetitive
motions. These injuries, known as repetitive motion injuries,
cumulative trauma injuries, & carpal tunnel syndrome, occur when
workers repeat actions without adequate time for their bodies to
rest or recover. These injuries do not require lifting or moving heavy
objects; simply leaning over a workbench that is too low during
an entire work shift every day for weeks, sawing or hammering
continuously for hours every day, & inputting computer data
nonstop for hours every day can cause them. These injuries often
necessitate costly surgery, prolonged absence from work for
rehabilitation, & perhaps reassigning workers to other tasks due to
permanent disability.
While the anatomy, physiology, treatment, & rehabilitation of
these injuries can be complicated, preventing them can be easy
& inexpensive by using good ergonomic practices. Ergonomics
involves arranging work stations & tasks to minimize the stress they
cause to workers bodies. Good ergonomics not only helps prevent
injury; it can also make your workers more productive by making
tasks easier. This sheet addresses some basics of ergonomics; it
is not all-encompassing. Your local chapter of the National Safety
Council, OSHA, an industrial hygienist, or an ergonomist can
provide in-depth guidance.

Ergonomics basics include:

For clerical workers who sit:
1. Provide height adjustable chair, adjustable desk, and/or
adjustable keyboard holder so workers will not have to work
with wrists, arms, back, & neck at awkward angles;
2. Provide document holders so keyboard operators may view
them at the same height as the computer screens to prevent
holding neck at awkward angles;
3. Position computer screens within 15-20 degrees below the
users eye level;
4. Remind workers to take frequent momentary breaks to rest
their necks, backs, eyes, & wrists;
5. Position computer screens away from windows or lights that
cause glare; provide glare filters as needed;
6. Provide foot rests for shorter workers who are unable to
keep feet flat upon the floor;
7. Provide headphones to free the hands of workers who do
much phone work.

For workers who stand in place:
1. Provide cushioned floormats and/or cushioned sole shoes
to relieve fatigue;
2. Provide foot rests or foot rails so workers may relieve back
stress periodically;
3. Provide height adjustable or tiltable workbenches & bins or
items upon which to stand so workers may work at
comfortable angles;
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4. Place frequently used items in a semicircular pattern within

14-16 inches in front of workers, other items within
24-26 inches.

For workers at jobsites:
1. Provide tools with vibration/shock absorbing handles to
reduce impact on hands;
2. Provide tools with ergonomically designed handles (e.g.
pliers; wire cutters);
3. Arrange work to avoid bending wrists-wrist strength is
greatest when it is straight;
4. Use power tools when tasks place too much stress upon
worker using hand tools;
5. Hold pistol handle tools (e.g. power drills) at elbow height
when working upon vertical surface; below waist with elbow
straight when working upon horizontal surface;
6. Provide flange or sleeve to rest hand on straight-line tools
used for downward vertical force; this reduces force needed
for gripping;
7. Remove sharp corners or edges from tool handles;
8. If needed, wear gloves that cover only the area needing
protection; those covering unneeded areas can reduce
dexterity & require greater strength to do the task;
9. Consider equipping tools having 1-finger start/stop devices
(e.g. drill with trigger) with start/stop devices manipulated by
several fingers or thumb to reduce stress on trigger fingers;
10.Provide non-slip handles for hand & power tools.

For workers using machines on your premises or at
jobsites:
1. Keep the most frequently used control devices within easy
reach (e.g. start/stop devices; raising/lowering levers);
2. Locate control devices or guard them so they are not
inadvertently operated;
3. Minimize the number of control devices to prevent confusion;
4. Position emergency controls within 30 degrees of
operators normal line of sight; make them conspicuous &
easily accessible;
5. Design hand controls to move in direction workers expect
(e.g. move joystick to the right to swing the machine
to the right);
6. Provide displays (e.g. tachometer; speedometer; pressure
gauge) that show in contrast against their background &
locate them to avoid glare;
7. Label displays conspicuously & design them to not be too
similar to reduce confusion.

General concepts for any task & location:

Continued on reverse...

Practicing good ergonomics need not be costly. It can reduce

injuries & in some cases increase worker productivity. Let workers
comfort guide them. Pain & fatigue indicate stress. Encourage
workers to take momentary rest breaks often (perhaps as short
as 10 seconds), to help recover from stress. Consider rotating
workers: schedule #1 to task A for 2 hours & schedule her to task
B for the following 2 hours. Observe your workers & the actions they
take in their tasks. Notice pillows, self-made foot rests, etc.; these
indicate workers feel discomfort. Ask workers for their ideas about
how to design their tasks to minimize stress. Workers may think
ergonomic changes (e.g. adjustable chair having back supports)
are more uncomfortable at first; train workers how to use & adjust
them & allow a few days to grow accustomed to them. Review the
effectiveness of your ergonomic actions by speaking with workers,
observing the presence of pillows, etc., & by reviewing injury/illness
records; make changes as needed. Consult with an ergonomist, or
health care professional for exercises your workers can perform to
prevent injury.

LC118 04/11